Health literacy in Saudi Arabia: Implications for public health and healthcare access

This study aims to describe the distribution of low health literacy (HL) in the population in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), and to analyze factors associated with low HL in KSA. A cross‐sectional national survey using quota sampling, population‐based of residents of KSA conducted via phone inte...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Pharmacology research & perspectives 2019-08, Vol.7 (4), p.e00514-n/a
Main Authors: Almubark, Rasha, Basyouni, Mada, Alghanem, Ashjan, Althumairi, Nora, Alkhamis, Dalal, Alharbi, Lamya S., Alammari, Nouf, Algabbani, Aljoharah, Alnofal, Fatemah, Alqahtani, Amani, BinDhim, Nasser
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Asthma
Cross-Sectional Studies
Data collection
Female
Health care policy
Health education
Health literacy
Health Literacy - statistics & numerical data
Health services
Health Services Accessibility - statistics & numerical data
Higher education
Hospitals
Humans
Internet
Interviews as Topic
Logistic Models
Male
Middle Aged
Mortality
Original
Pharmacology
Population
population health
Public Health
Risk Factors
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia - epidemiology
Studies
Young Adult
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Summary:This study aims to describe the distribution of low health literacy (HL) in the population in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), and to analyze factors associated with low HL in KSA. A cross‐sectional national survey using quota sampling, population‐based of residents of KSA conducted via phone interviews supplemented by in‐person interviews. The survey included an overall evidence‐based measurement of HL. Both descriptive statistics of the sample and a multivariable logistic regression model predicting low HL were developed. A total of 3557 surveys were available for analysis, and 46% of the respondents were classified as having low HL. In regression modelling, low HL was associated with older age groups (age 47‐56 odds ratio [OR] 1.60, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.30‐1.97; age 57‐66 OR 1.38, 95% CI 0.98‐1.94), the regions of Ha’il (OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.5‐0.85) and Najran (OR 1.27, 95% CI 0.99‐1.64), having been formerly married, lower levels of education (less than elementary OR 3.20, 95% CI 2.10‐4.88; and elementary, OR 1.62, 95% CI 1.14‐2.30), lower levels of income, and having sought healthcare exactly three times in the last year. Approximately half of KSA has low HL, and risk factors for low HL were older ages, lower income and education, having been formerly married, and a moderate pattern of health use. Future studies are needed to better characterize the distribution and determinants of low HL across KSA.
ISSN:2052-1707
2052-1707
DOI:10.1002/prp2.514